PATA-Phl hosts travel forum

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter will host the fourth edition of its annual Pinoy Chikka Travel Forum on Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center.

Based on its average attendance of approximately 3,000, Pinoy Chikka is the biggest travel forum locally and will once again feature a stellar line-up of experts from various sectors of the tourism industry.

Matthew Zatto, manager of Destination Marketing for Southeast Asia of TripAdvisor, will discuss “Tourism in the Age of Technology.” Artist, food writer, chef and TV host Claude Tayag will expound on “Culinary Tourism,” while Gabby Roxas, marketing di- rector of Google Philippines, will discuss “How Google Powers Up Tourism.”

PATA, the biggest travel organization in the world, was founded in Hawaii in 1951 and counts over 40,000 members from different sectors. Its mission is to enhance, encourage and support the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific. The Philippine Chapter helps translate these global objectives into action in the local travel and hospitality industry.

Tickets to the forum may be purchased from the PATA Secretariat at tel 459-5200 loc 524, care of April Gayle Valencia. Students’ tickets are also available at a discount through tel 527-8251 loc 173, care of Guia Valerie Uson.